Top Local Blog

Columbia Dog Talk just received a "Top Blog Award" from Search Maryland, a local directory of businesses, tourist attractions, and professional organizations for the state of Maryland. We're proud to be named "one of the state's top blogs for 2008"!

Riley, the Artist's Model

© 2008 Catharine Love

Riley was one of the subjects of a series of pen-and-ink dog drawings done by my daughter Catharine this summer. Catharine's an art student at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore (and a graduate of Hammond High). I asked her if she would do some dog drawings that I could use on my blog, website, or . . . that book I'm thinking about writing.

I just love this one! I think I'll experiment with making some note cards.

Blessing of the Animals

OK. I'm not a religious person, but I thought this sounded interesting.

The Shrine of St. Anthony is offering a special liturgical event on Sunday, October 5, 2 pm, to bless pets in honor of St. Francis, the patron saint of animals.

The shrine is located at the St. Joseph Cupertino Friary, which is in a very pretty setting in Howard County ("on 310 acres of rolling hills and woodland"), so it's definitely worth checking out. It's that interesting looking monastery that you might have seen and, like me, wondered about while driving along Folly Quarter Road. What do they do there? Do they make bread? Wine? Fruit cakes? Would I be allowed in? Could I get a closer look?

So here's a perfect chance to satisfy your curiosity and visit on an early fall day. Plus get to see all those cute pets out there waiting for their blessing. And it's free. I just might do it. My guys could use a blessing (though maybe an exorcism would be more in order for Cody . . . ?)

12290 Folly Quarter Road
Ellicott City, MD 21042

There are more details on the shrine's calendar.

P.S. Rubina from our Dogs-on-the-Go group posted a photo of her "lil hell raiser" Parker getting his blessing last year:

Here are directions to the shrine, if you're coming from Lake Centennial.

Tonight: Saving the Vick Dogs

The National Geographic Channel is airing the Season 2 premiere of "Dog Town". This episode follows the work of staff members who are rehabilitating four severely traumatized pit bulls that were rescued from Michael Vick's illegal dogfighting.

Tonight at 9:00 pm

Duration: 120 Mins.

Rated: TVPG

Outdoors, Documentary

I wrote an earlier blog about one of the Vick dogs, Sweet Pea, who is in a foster home in Howard County and joined us on a group dog walk.

The National Geographic Channel is channel 101 on Verizon FIOS in Howard County.

August 13: Eat at Unos - Help Animals!

On Wednesday, August 13 from 4-10 pm, the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County is holding a fundraising event at Uno's at Columbia Mall!

Dine in, carry out, or just have a drink at the bar, and 20% of your purchases will go towards AWS!

You will need a coupon with your payment to make your purchases count. Click here for a PDF that includes the coupon, which you can print out and bring the night of the event.

Pooches Pool Party!

It's the dog swim event of the year! Each year, the Howard County Recreaction & Parks department welcomes dogs into the pool for the last weekend the pool remains open for the summer. It's always the weekend after Labor Day and has been at the Roger Carter Center pool.

This year, it's Saturday, September 6. The fee is $10.00 and covers one dog and two handlers. Session times are 10 AM and 1 PM. Registration started August 6 and will fill up quickly.

Go to the HCR&P site, click on Location: Roger Carter Rec Ctr, and then go to page 2 of the listings. Or search for sessions #3003.101 or #3003.102.

Here are some pics of Riley, enjoying a dog swim at the Kings Contrivance dog swim a few years ago:

See you there!

The Canine Olympic Swim Team

Columbia Dogs-on-the-Go had a great walk today along the Savage Historic Mill Trail. It's the perfect summertime walk--short, shady, swimming. . . and sweets! You start out by crossing the historic Bollman Bridge in Savage, walk about a half mile down the trail, and then take the little side trail down to the river and "beach." About half the dogs in our group decided to take the plunge:

After the walk, we headed over to Bonaparte's Bakery at Savage Mill. There's a great outdoor courtyard--not to mention pastries and coffee. You go inside to order, and they will bring your order to your table outside.

We also ran into some other CDOG members who were having an outdoor lunch with their dog, Beamer, in the courtyard, with service from the Ram's Head. Apparently, you can order inside at the Ram's Head and they will bring your order (including beer and drinks) outside also. We'll try that next.

Directions to the Savage Mill walk are on the CDOG website.